Boston Celtics locker room:
Clap, clap, clap!
Doc Rivers applauded his players enthusiastically, a bright smile on his face. "You played very well in the first half. I'm very satisfied with both your offense and your defense. Give yourselves a hand."
Clap, clap, clap, clap...
The players applauded themselves.
Doc Rivers' smile faded as he continued, "But the game isn't over yet. Put away your excitement for now. Once we've actually won, then you can let it out."
"Got it, Coach!" the players answered in unison.
At that moment, the Boston Celtics were certain they would win the game.
Compared to the fired-up atmosphere in the Boston Celtics' locker room, the Indiana Pacers' locker room was gloomy and lifeless.
No one said a word. They all hung their heads, nearly burying them in the floor.
Their hearts were filled with anger and shame: anger at their own incompetence, and shame at having let down their status as the Eastern Conference's top team.
Just then, the Indiana Pacers' head coach asked, "What's wrong? Have you already given up?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Pacers' players all raised their heads, staring at their coach with unwilling eyes.
"Coach, we won't give up as long as the final buzzer hasn't sounded. We may die fighting, but we won't quit." Reggie Miller stood up and answered on behalf of the team.
Hearing Reggie Miller's words, the Indiana Pacers' head coach nodded in satisfaction.
Being behind wasn't frightening. What was frightening was lacking the courage to get back up.
"I believe in you. In my eyes, you're the strongest."
A flame ignited in the hearts of the Indiana Pacers' players.
Halftime ended, and both teams returned to the court.
The Indiana Pacers started with the ball. It went to Jamaal Tinsley, who quickly